GOP fiscal plans sharply at odds with public opinion

By Steve Benen

As fiscal talks continue in Washington, Republicans are already facing several disadvantages. Not only is President Obama holding a stronger hand -- with looming tax hikes, he clearly has more leverage -- polls show the American mainstream more likely to blame the GOP if talks fail.

But for Republicans, it gets worse. They have fairly specific policy goals in mind, but haven't persuaded the public at all. Consider the results of the new ABC News/Washington Post poll, which I turned into a chart.



Republicans are fighting tooth and nail to prevent higher tax rates on income above $250,000, but a clear majority of Americans support the idea. Republicans are pushing limits on tax deductions, and in this case, a plurality of Americans opposes the measure.

And on Medicare, which GOP policymakers are eager to cut, an overwhelming majority of Americans oppose raising the eligibility age -- an idea Republicans have repeatedly floated.

In other words, in the fiscal fight, the American mainstream disagrees with congressional Republicans on everything.

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http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2012/11/28/15510982-gop-fiscal-plans-sharply-at-odds-with-public-opinion